Context: Operation Sindoor has highlighted India's military might and indigenous weapons. Indigenous development of the defence ecosystem has been made possible by contributions of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and lately by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).
Relevance of the Topic : Prelims: Key facts about iDEX, Indigenous Defence Technologies (SkyStriker; D-4 Anti-Drone System)
Key Indigenous Technologies used in Operation Sindoor:
SkyStriker Loitering Munitions:
- Suicide drones developed by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with Elbit Systems (Israel).
- The precision-striking drone can carry a 5-10 kg warhead and has a range of 100 km.
- Its electric propulsion system helps reduce noise, making it suitable for covert missions at low altitudes.
- Cost-effective solution for long-range precision strikes. The drone supports direct aerial fire missions and enhances operational awareness and survivability for ground forces.
D-4 Anti-Drone System:
- Anti-drone system developed by DRDO.
- Capability to neutralise hostile drones by disrupting GPS signals.
- Equipped with advanced radar, RF jammers, and laser-based kill mechanisms, the D4 system can disrupt and disable enemy UAVs mid-flight.
- Can be utilised for other purposes like- real-time battlefield monitoring and surveillance.
Akashteer
- Akashteer is an indigenous AI-powered Air Defence System (India’s own Iron Dome).
- Designed and manufactured jointly by: DRDO, ISRO and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
- Part of India's overall C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) system.
- Akashteer works in coordination with ISRO satellites and Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC) GPS.
- Integrates data from radars and sensors, and provides real-time situational awareness and enables swift responses to aerial threats (drones, missiles, UAVs and other loitering munitions).
- Through automated detection-and-response mechanisms, Akashteer can neutralise hundreds of incoming threats with unmatched precision.
- Its vehicle-based, mobile configuration guarantees flexibility in high-risk areas.
Akash Missile Defence System
- Indigenously developed by DRDO.
- Medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) designed to neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.
- Operates on a command-guidance system with datalink for mid-course corrections and switches to active radar homing in the terminal phase.
- Propulsion: The missile is propelled by an integrated ramjet-rocket engine, allowing it to maintain supersonic speeds (Mach 1.8 to 2.5) throughout its flight.
- Range: Its range extends up to 25–45 km, with the ability to intercept targets at altitudes up to 20 km. The missile carries a 60 kg high-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead, detonated by a digital proximity fuse for maximum impact.
- Supported by a sophisticated radar network. Real time multi-sensor data processing enables simultaneous engagement of multiple targets from any direction.
- Rajendra phased array radar can track up to 64 targets and guide eight missiles simultaneously.
- 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR) provides long-range surveillance and target acquisition.
- Akash has evolved over the years, with variants like Akash-1 (25 km range), Akash-NG (up to 30 km with improved guidance), and Akash Prime (up to 35 km, optimised for low-altitude threats).
The Akash’s integration with advanced command-and-control systems like Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) enabled real-time threat neutralisation.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX):
- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Defence launched in 2018.
- It brings together all the key innovation ecosystem actors, including start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutions, and academia, to foster self-reliance in defence technologies.
- Funding and Management: iDEX is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), a Section 8 company, whose founding members were Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).
- iDEX adopts an open innovation approach. E.g., Through Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC), iDEX launches challenges for start-ups to offer solutions to specific technological needs of the Indian Armed Forces.
- iDEX has facilitated domestic-global collaboration. E.g., iDEX partners with the US Department of Defense’s Innovation Unit to facilitate joint co-development of innovation between Indian and US start-ups.
Lately, iDEX has accelerated the defence innovation ecosystem in India. It has signed over 350 agreements with start-ups as of June 2024. This approach ensures an alignment between the operational needs of the defence sector and innovative solutions developed.